UPDATED | Tourism ministry reacts to claims of mismanagement at ITS

“Contrary to what the opposition has said, constant work is being done at the Institute of Tourism Studies (ITS) to ensure that the institute is taken out of the lax state it has fallen into since the previous administration,” the statement reads.

The Ministry insisted that it has carried out a management audit to secure the best management structures for the institute.  

“There is an on-going process to carry out the necessary recruitment in the management sectors to change structures to reflect current realities,” the ministry said.

 The Ministry insisted that its aim is to make the institute an excellent training centre both for prospective students and current employees within the industry, to ensure that Malta becomes more competitive and that it can offer a better product to tourists.

Opposition MP Antoine Borg hit out at mismanagement issues at ITS earlier today.

Following numerous reports to the Opoositon from concerned students, parents and even various media reports on issued of mismanagement at ITS, the Opposition has once again voiced its concerns on the issue.

Borg had spoken to MaltaToday in early February to express his concerns about the issue which has remained unresolved.

The Opposition was disappointed to notice a lack of management of human resources including the case of a labour councilor in Qala and labour councilors in Sliema.

Borg said that these issues were also compounded by other issues regarding studying and training resources as well as course organisation at ITS.

“All of these issues are causing great concern amongst students and workers who mean well,” he added.

Borg added that it was also unacceptable that chefs at the institute were reportedly asked to prepare food for private meetings ordered by the executive director of the institute using ingredients that had allegedly been paid for by the institute.

“The Opposition believes in ITS’s crucial role in strengthening the quality of the tourism experience our country provides through training and human resources within the industry.”

Borg added that the party also recognizes the commitment of students and workers within ITS and the tourism industry in general.

“However, we would like to encourage an effective collaboration between the industry and ITS in order to address the various needs of the sector. It is only in this manner that ITS could be instrumental both in the preparation of its students and in the lifelong training of those already working within the tourism industry,” Borg stressed.